Cree had shocked everyone when he told her, “You talk too much anyway. It will not hurt you to be silent for a few days.”
Dawn’s body had started shaking with laughter and all those in the room had joined in, their laughter reverberating throughout the room.
Cree had ordered everyone out and they had complied, laughing all the way.
Torr stopped after taking a few steps out of the room and slipped his arm around Wintra’s waist. “Are you sure you do well?”
“You have asked me that endlessly since first seeing my wounds. And I have assured you again and again that I am fine. And Elsa agrees. You have no cause to ask me again.”
Torr eased her up against him. “And what if I have a particular reason for wanting to make certain?”
“That might prove interesting,” she said and smiled, then winced.
“See,” Torr said accusingly, “you are in pain.”
“You trapped me,” she insisted and gave him a shove, not that it did any good. He was too solid of a man to move with a shove from the likes of her. Then a thought hit her, a single thought, and she said, “My lips may be too sore to kiss, but the rest of me is feeling just fine.”
Torr rested his brow to hers. “You tempt me, Princess.”
A familiar tingle ran through her and she ran her hand over his chest. “I meant to.”
“You have been through an ordeal—”
“That is done and finished thanks to you. We should celebrate.”
“I will do all the work,” he ordered.
“Now you tempt me,” she said.
He smiled, though it faded slowly. “I thought I had lost you. I never want to feel that soul-wrenching emptiness again. I love you, Wintra.”
“And I love you, Torr, forever and ever and ever.”
“I wish I could kiss you right now, but since I cannot kiss your mouth,” —he took her hand and his other hand went to rest at her back just above her backside—“let’s hurry and go to the cottage.”
Wintra and Torr rushed down the stairs and stopped when they reached the Great Hall taken by the beauty of the wedding decorations. Pine garlands hung across the mantel with candles interspersed throughout. Garlands were also strung from the rafters as were clan color banners.
“It is a shame the wedding never got to take place and now it is postponed until Dawn feels well enough for a celebration. And another wedding dress must be stitched since hers got ruined,” Wintra said.
Torr turned to her and said, “Marry me, Wintra, here and now.”
“We are married,” she said looking at him as if he had gone completely mad.
“Marry me this time because you choose to do so.”
He gave her a choice, and she didn’t have to think about it. Her heart swelled with joy. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.”
“Wait here. Do not move. Promise me you will not move,” Torr said excited.
“I will sit at the table by the hearth and wait,” she said, keeping a smile at bay so she would not disturb her wound.
Torr returned in no time with her father in tow, a huge smile on his face as he hurriedly lifted her off the bench to place her in front of him like a shield. “You need to protect me from your brother.”
“I am going to beat your husband,” Cree warned as he entered the Great Hall with his wife smiling beside him. Dawn gave him a jab when they came to a stop near Wintra and Torr. He scowled at her.
After a simple hand gesture and a touch to Cree’s chest, his tone softened.
“We are overjoyed that someone is able to wed today,” Cree said annoyed. He looked to his sister and a smile crept over his lips. “Truly, we are overjoyed for you and Torr.”
Wintra went to him and gave him a hug. “I love you and I am glad you and Dawn will share this moment with us.”
“I wouldn’t miss it and I love you, little sister, and it is glad I am to have you home again.” Cree said and kissed her cheek.
Before Wintra returned to Torr’s side, she went to Kellmara. “I am glad you are here to see me wed the man I love, Da.”
Tears sprang in Kellmara’s eyes that she had called him Da, and he reached out and gave his daughter a tight hug.
Henry entered the Great Hall, yawning. Since he was sent by the King with the powers to annul the marriages if need be, he also had the power to wed those that had been joined by proxy.
Surrounded by family, those who loved her most, Wintra exchanged vows with Torr and sealed their love with loving words and a loving kiss.
Chapter Thirty-six
Summer
Wildflowers bloomed everywhere and fields were lush with growth as was Dawn as she prepared for her wedding day. Her hand went to her large rounded stomach and loving stroked it. The babe had been more active than usual of late, and she had wondered if he was eager to be born. She certainly was eager for the birth. She had grown uncomfortable in the last day or so and while she was excited about today, she wished it was over. But she had given Cree her word that they would wed before their babe was born, and she would not disappoint him. Besides, the villagers had long anticipated this day.